What To Do If Coverage Is Refused

By Author: Norris Rios
Total Articles: 568
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We all want life to run along smoothly, just like a train on the tracks. Sure it has to stop every now and again to pick up or drop off passengers. But we like everything to be predictable and safe. Except life isn't set up that way. No matter how much we might want everything to go the way we want, there are lots of pitchers that can throw curve balls at us, or we can just want more than the world is ever going to give us. So the first question is why you might not be able to find coverage - actually, this includes both outright refusal and quotes of premium rates that no one other than Paris Hilton would pay.

Let's start with the obvious. This is your first vehicle and you are still learning to drive. Well, this is the classic problem. Until you have some track record to tell the insurers whether you're a safe driver, they are always going to be suspicious of you. But if you make your opening moves in a very safe make and model, this improves your chances. Pick something very underpowered and check that it's not a make often stolen. There are government websites that carry lists of the models most likely to be stolen. ...
... Insurers will give you more realistic rates if you are less likely to burn up the road and the total loss of the vehicle through theft is remote. But if you apply for coverage with a customized, high performance car that will leave rubber on the road and that aroma of nitro as you pull away from your garage, the answer from insurers is going to be negative. Even very experienced drivers are going to be asked to pay high premium rates for something powerful with a paint job to die for. Then there's the possibility you have managed to pick up convictions for some of the more serious driving offenses. This immediately puts you in the category of a high-risk driver and most insurers will refuse you. If this applies to you, it's not worth the risk of applying under a false name. This is almost always detected should you get into an accident or get stopped by law enforcement again. Jail time is more common for this type of dishonesty. The other factors will be more outside your control, like where you live. Some zip codes signal a neighborhood where theft and vandalism are common. Not everyone can just relocate to a better address.

If this applies to you, look for your state's assigned risk pool. All the insurers in your state are required to contribute to a fund that cannot refuse to insure you. You will have to pay more than through a private insurer, but some cover is better than no cover. Alternatively, find a private insurer that issues auto insurance quotes for the high risk driver or worst of the zip codes. Your state's insurance department will have details of both options. Sadly, when the choice comes down to breaking the law or buying some insurance, there's no such thing as cheap car insurance. You have to pay the going rate.